Karaoke Forums

Hello all,

Being the layman that I am, I wanted to tap your collective minds to determine what would be my best option for an external microphone to utilize with my Dell Dimension 4700 PC. Obviously quality recordings are my concern so I am hoping this can be achieved with a mic within the $100.00 range.

Your opinions and assistance are greatly appreciated. Please respond to:

TheCrooningBiker @aol.com (remove space between Biker and @)

Thank you,

Larry

In order to get decent quality for recording you're going to want to use, at minimum, a regular dynamic microphone (as opposed to those cheap computer mics). To use a dynamic mic with a computer you'll also need a pre-amp of some sort. I know it about doubles your budget, but American Musical Supply has a good deal on a packaged Shure SM58 and X2U USB Pre-amp. I think this would be the perfect kit based on what you've described.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-SHU-SM58X2U

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I would also recommend the SM58, but would use the Lexicon Alpha for the USB interface. More fexibilty & options & sounds great.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-SHU-SM58LC-LIST
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-LEX-ALPHA-LIST

But if you can ONLY budget $100 for a mic only, this is just a studio condenser type USB mic. Not a handheld, it is stationary while you sing. Pretty decent quality as well.
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-MAS-USB006-LIST

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

wooooohooooooooo Larry you're taking the plunge
You have been given good advice from both... now with the shure you will be able to take it with you and sing in public.
With the condenser it will have to remain on a shock mount on a mic stand.

Personally after being given the opportunity to record with a condenser, I wouldnt go back to using my shure.

Dont get me wrong, sm58s are great mics...industry standard...but they are very forgiving and for the quality of your voice I would go for something that highlights that quality...you dont need forgiving cos your vocals are fab




Londonlive, bite me on the "fab"...I know ya hate it

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I think there are only two reasons to like the SM58: durability and familiarity. If you are used to it, it can be tough to change. I have put $150 Heil PR20s in front of about a dozen semi-professional singers and all have liked them much better than SM58s. On the other hand, I have not tried to change the preference of the guys I know have invested $1000+ in Shure wireless systems, or who I think are really attached to their particular mic.

"If the industry standard was jumping off a bridge, would you do it too?"

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

hmmm wondering where you get the impression I am totally sold on sm58???

and stepping off bridges is something I would never do unless I had broomstick inhand

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I'd take a good long look at the condenser mic that Lon posted. That looks pretty sweet. If you can get a condenser mic in your price range, that's the way to go for recording purposes. I didn't realize we had condenser's in that price range and just assumed dynamic was the de facto path.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

this is a great forum for all who are open to learning

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

For recording, I don't recommend using a Shure sm58, to the limit I can understand why it's popular for live but you really don't want this mic for studio recording... I would suggest spending just a little more and go with this one:

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... 5PACK-LIST

You want a nice sensitive mic and if you have a rich smooth voice, the sm58 won't work for you Of course you'll need a mic preamp like others suggested

he definately has a rich smooth voice

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

For sure, he shouldn't go with the sm58, the e835 or the e845 (even better) would be a better fit for him

I think all that stuff is slightly out of his budget given that he needs a pre-amp as well. Of course everyone should have an ART VoiceChannel and a Heil PR35 for home recording.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

Some consideration should also be given to his daughter. Larry pays for singing lessons for her and once he is profficient at recording himself, I bet he will want to record his pride and joy as well So a mic that will also be good for a female voice also woud be great

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I can't thank you all enough! You have certainly given me fuel for thought and I have my homework cut out for me. I shall expand the budget for this as my good friend Morgan is correct, my daughter is the focus as I'm just crooning around for kicks.

Thank you all for your help,

Larry